Objectives
Treatment methods of local residual or recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after thermal ablation are limited. Therefore, our study aimed to explore the efficacy and prognostic ...factors of
125
I brachytherapy for local residual or recurrent lesion after thermal ablation.
Methods
A total of 114 patients with 212 local residual or recurrent HCC tumors after thermal ablation underwent
125
I brachytherapy. Local progression-free survival (LPFS) and prognostic factors were analyzed by Kaplan–Meier curves and the Cox model.
Results
After a 6-month follow-up, the percentage of patients who achieved complete response (CR), partial response (PR), and stable disease (SD) was 57%, 13.2%, and 5.2%, respectively. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year LPFS rates were 58.7%, 50.0%, and 41.2%, respectively. Portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) (
p
= 0.03), the number of intrahepatic tumors (
p
= 0.01), and AFP level (
p
= 0.02) were independent risk factors for local tumor progression (LTP). The median LPFS in patients without PVTT (22 months) was much longer compared to those with PVTT (10 months). The median LPFS in patients with less than three intrahepatic lesions improved from 17 to 24 months. The median LPFS was only 5 months in the high AFP group, but was prolonged with a decrease in AFP level (24 months). No severe complications were recorded. All complications were controllable and treatable.
Conclusions
CT-guided
125
I brachytherapy was a safe and effective treatment for patients with local residual or recurrent HCC after thermal ablation to improve local control rate.
Key points
125
I brachytherapy is a treatment for locally recurrent HCC after ablation.
125
I brachytherapy combined with ablation may improve tumor control.
Vascular invasion, multiple lesions, and AFP are prognostic risk factors.
125
I brachytherapy is a safe method with a curative effect.
The bone marrow cavity (BMC) has recently been identified as an alternative site to the liver for islet transplantation. This study aimed to compare the BMC with the liver as an islet ...allotransplantation site in diabetic monkeys. Diabetes was induced in Rhesus monkeys using streptozocin, and the monkeys were then divided into the following three groups: Group1 (islets transplanted in the liver with immunosuppressant), Group 2 (islets transplanted in the tibial BMC), and Group 3 (islets transplanted in the tibial BMC with immunosuppressant). The C-peptide and blood glucose levels were preoperatively measured. An intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) was conducted to assess graft function, and complete blood cell counts were performed to assess cell population changes. Cytokine expression was measured using an enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) and MILLIPLEX. Five monkeys in Group 3 exhibited a significantly increased insulin-independent time compared with the other groups (Group 1: 78.2 ± 19.0 days; Group 2: 58.8 ± 17.0 days; Group 3: 189.6 ± 26.2 days) and demonstrated increases in plasma C-peptide 4 months after transplantation. The infusion procedure was not associated with adverse effects. Functional islets in the BMC were observed 225 days after transplantation using the dithizone (DTZ) and insulin/glucagon stains. Our results showed that allogeneic islets transplanted in the BMC of diabetic Rhesus monkeys remained alive and functional for a longer time than those transplanted in the liver. This study was the first successful demonstration of allogeneic islet engraftment in the BMC of non-human primates (NHPs).
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•An enantiopure molecular cage was used for mediating a chiral photodimerization.•The intrinsically chiral cage demonstrated efficiency in the chiral induction.•External factors play ...a remarkable role in the supramolecular photochirogenesis.
Photochirogenesis through supramolecular assembly provides an intriguing approach to the highly challenging research field of chiral photochemistry. In the present paper, an enantiopure coordination self-assembly cage (cage T) has been employed for mediating the enantiodifferentiating 4+4 photocyclodimerization of 2-anthracenecarboxylate (AC) in aqueous medium. The complexing behavior of AC with the cage T has been investigated by UV–vis, circular dichroism and NMR spectral studies. It was found that in aqueous solution, cage T could form both 1:1 and 1:2 host–guest complexes with AC. Photocyclodimerization of AC mediated by cage T were studied at different temperatures and different host/guest ratios. The anti-HT photodimer dominate the photocyclodimerization of AC with cage T. In the presence of an enantiopure cage T, the chiral syn-HT and anti-HH photodimers were produced in moderate enantioselectivity. The enantiodifferentiating mechanism of this supramolecular photochirogenesis system and the effects of external factors are discussed.
Introduction
Anxiety disorders continue to prevail as the most prevalent cluster of mental disorders following the COVID-19 pandemic, exhibiting substantial detrimental effects on individuals’ ...overall well-being and functioning. Even after a search spanning over a decade for novel anxiolytic compounds, none have been approved, resulting in the current anxiolytic medications being effective only for a specific subset of patients. Consequently, researchers are investigating everyday nutrients as potential alternatives to conventional medicines. Our prior study analyzed the antianxiety and memory-enhancing properties of the combination of Walnut Peptide (WP) and Casein Peptide (CP) in zebrafish.
Methods and Results
Based on this work, our current research further validates their effects in mice models exhibiting elevated anxiety levels through a combination of gavage oral administration. Our results demonstrated that at 170 + 300 mg human dose, the WP + CP combination significantly improved performances in relevant behavioral assessments related to anxiety and memory. Furthermore, our analysis revealed that the combination restores neurotransmitter dysfunction observed while monitoring Serotonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), dopamine (DA), and acetylcholine (ACh) levels. This supplementation also elevated the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA, indicating protective effects against the neurological stresses of anxiety. Additionally, there were strong correlations among behavioral indicators, BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), and numerous neurotransmitters.
Conclusion
Hence, our findings propose that the WP + CP combination holds promise as a treatment for anxiety disorder. Besides, supplementary applications are feasible when produced as powdered dietary supplements or added to common foods like powder, yogurt, or milk.
When a CME arrives at the Earth, it will interact with the magnetosphere, sometimes causing hazardous space weather events. Thus, the study of CMEs which arrived at Earth (hereinafter, ...Earth-impacting CMEs) has attracted much attention in the space weather and space physics communities. Previous results have suggested that the three-dimensional parameters of CMEs play a crucial role in deciding whether and when they reach Earth. In this work, we use observations from the Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO) to study the three-dimensional parameters of 71 Earth-impacting CMEs from the middle of 2008 to the end of 2012. We find that the majority Earth-impacting CMEs originate from the region of 30S,30N × 40E,40W on the solar disk; Earth-impacting CMEs are more likely to have a central propagation angle (CPA) no larger than half-angular width, a negative correlation between velocity and acceleration, and propagation time is inversely related to velocity. Based on our findings, we develop an empirical statistical model to forecast the arrival time of the Earth-impacting CME. Also included is a comparison between our model and the aerodynamic drag model.
Dura substitutes are applied in duraplasty to repair lost or damaged dura. Collagen-based dura substitutes are mainstream products in both the US and Chinese markets. In this study, dura substitute ...devices with potential dura regeneration ability are evaluated. The dura substitutes are composed of fibrous type I collagen that were purified from bovine tendon. Physical and chemical characterization demonstrated that the tested dura substitute has desirable porous scaffolding structures and is composed of highly purified type I collagen. The collagen dura substitutes were further investigated
with a rabbit model for 6 months to evaluate their safety and performance to repair and regenerate dura. No inflammation or infection was observed during the course of
study. The integration of the collagen dura substitutes with surrounding tissue was normal as compared to native tissue. The macroscopic and microscopic histological assessments of the sampled animal tissue showed that the damaged dura were regenerated. The collagen dura substitutes were resorbed between 3 and 6 months along with newly regenerated dura. Both tissue adhesion and dura repair was the worst in blank control group as compared to those in the collagen dura substitutes. Taken together, regenerative collagen dura substitutes demonstrated with suitable physicochemical properties. The
evaluation in a rabbit model further demonstrated the safety and performance of such substitutes for dura repair and regeneration.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders and, without proper treatment, may lead to severe conditions: e.g., somatic disorders or permanent damage to central nervous system. Although ...there are drugs in clinical trials, this study focuses on exploring the efficacy of nutrients in treating these diseases. We built different zebrafish models and screened several nutrient combinations for their antianxiety, antioxidant, neuro-protecting, and memory-improving activities. Our results showed that the combinations of nutrients (e.g., Walnut Peptides + Theanine at 14.2 + 33.3 μg/ml) have similar or better activities than the positive control drugs. In addition, we discovered that the effects of the nutrients in the above four aspects were universal and highly related. This study is noteworthy as it suggested that nutrients could be healthier and greener drug alternatives and provide similar or better universal treatments for anxiety and related conditions.
Buckybowls are polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons that have a curved aromatic surface and are considered fragments of buckminsterfullerenes. The curved aromatic surface led to the loss of planar ...symmetry of the normal aromatic plane and may cause unique inherent chirality, so-called bowl chirality, which it is possible to thermally racemize through a bowl-to-bowl inversion process. In this short review, we summarize the studies concerning the special field of bowl chirality, focusing on recent practical aspects of attaining diastereo/enantioenriched chiral buckybowls through asymmetric synthesis, chiral optical resolution, selective chiral metal complexation, and chiral assembly formation.
Background
We aimed to prepare a non‐invasive, reproducible, and controllable rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage with focused ultrasound (FUS).
Methods
A rat intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) model ...was established by combining FUS and microbubbles (μBs), and edaravone was used to verify whether the free radical scavenger had a protective effect on the model. The brain tissue of each group was sectioned to observe the gross histology, blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability, cerebral infarction volume, and histopathological changes.
Results
Compared with the FUS group, the BBB permeability was significantly increased in the FUS + μBs (F&B) group (p = 0.0021). The second coronal slice in the F&B group had an obvious hemorrhage lesion, and the FUS + μBs + edaravone (F&B&E) group had smaller hemorrhage areas; however, ICH did not occur in the FUS group. The cerebral infarction volume in the F&B group was significantly larger than that in the FUS group (p = 0.0030) and F&B&E group (p = 0.0208). HE staining results showed that nerve fibrinolysis, neuronal necrosis, microglia production, and erythrocytes were found in both the F&B group and the F&B&E group, but the areas of the nerve fibrinolysis and neuronal necrosis in the F&B group were larger than the F&B&E group.
Conclusions
A rat ICH model was successfully prepared using the μBs assisted FUS treatment, and edaravone had a therapeutic effect on this model. This model can be used to study the pathophysiological mechanism of ICH‐related diseases and in preclinical research on related new drugs.
Schematic diagram of a rat intracerebral hemorrhage model prepared by combining ultrasound intervention and microbubbles.
Activated protein C (APC), a serine-protease with anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective activities, is neuroprotective and holds potential to treat different neurologic disorders. It ...is unknown whether APC crosses the blood—brain barrier (BBB) to reach its therapeutic targets in the brain. By using a brain vascular perfusion technique, we show that 125I-labeled plasma-derived mouse APC enters the brain from cerebrovascular circulation by a concentration-dependent mechanism. The permeability surface area product of 125I-APC (0.1 nmol/L) in different forebrain regions ranged from 3.11 to 4.13 μL/min/g brain. This was approximately 80- to 110-fold greater than for 14C-inulin, a simultaneously infused reference tracer. The Km value for APC BBB cortical transport was 1.6±0.2 nmol/L. Recombinant APC variants with reduced anticoagulant activity, 5A-APC and 3K3A-APC, but not protein C, exhibited high affinity for the APC BBB transport system. Blockade of APC-binding site on endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR), but not blockade of its protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1) catalytic site, inhibited by > 85% APC entry into the brain. APC brain uptake was reduced by 64% in severely deficient EPCR mice, but not in PAR1 null mice. These data suggest that APC and its variants with reduced anticoagulant activity cross the BBB via EPCR-mediated saturable transport.
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